Jeep first used Dana 44 front axles in the 3/4 ton FC-170 forward control truck which was introduced in 1957. A short time later the FC-150 would also be available with a wide-track Dana 44 front axle. Jeep also used Dana 44 front axles in the full size Gladiator J-Series truck which was released in 1962. Most of these axles where solid beam type, but until 1965, the Gladiator was available with an Independent Front Suspension (IFS) Model 44 front axle which is quite rare. Jeep would use closed knuckle Dana 44 front axles in civilian truck models until the end of the 1973 model year.
Jeep Dana 44 closed knuckle front axles have 1-1/8" x 10 spline outer axle shafts which are weaker than the 1-1/4" 19 spline outer axles used in most competitive models. Jeep was the only U.S. truck manufacturer that did not offer a Dana 44HD front axle for heavier GVW models, all the Jeep closed knuckle 44s are standard axles with the 5" knuckle ball.
Most Jeep Truck Dana 44 front axles have 5 bolt x 5-1/2" bolt circle front wheel hubs. Exceptions are the early Dual Rear Wheel trucks (6 x 7-1/4") and the J-Series trucks with Vin Code 3407 and J-4800 (8 x 6-1/2").
